- Strengths
- Mainstay for chest eval: lung mass/neoplasm, effusion, adenopathy, detection of lung nodules, aorta/vascular screening; Memorialcare has lung CAD to automatically assist in detecting nodules and measuring volume of them.
- Limitations
- If indication is only for lung nodule evaluation or followup, probably do NOT need IV contrast. Generally no need to perform CT chest with AND without IV contrast.
- Contraindications
- 1) Allergy to contrast, but we will premedicate patient as necessary; 2) IV contrast will be dose-adjusted dependent upon creatinine clearance.
- CPT Code
- 71260
- Exact format for order to be authorized
- CT chest with IV contrast
- Patient Preparation
- NPO 4 hours, but can take meds with small sip of water.
